Good morning Newcastle, welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums out there this weekend. This week's edition has all the usual events plus a dedicated Mother's Day section to help you plan something special. Enjoy.

Enjoy.

Been working on something a bit different.

A Newcastle Digest tote bag, an illustrated map of the city covering all the spots that make Newcastle, Newcastle. Nobbys, Bogey Hole, Merewether Baths, Fort Scratchley, Queens Wharf, Ocean Baths and more.

Never launched a product before. Curious if this is something you'd be into.

Tried Papalote for the first time last week for my birthday. It's been on the radar for a while, an upmarket Mexican option that's made a strong impression on Newcastle's dining scene since opening late last year.

The menu focuses on tacos, share plates and fresh seafood, and the quality of the ingredients shows. We started with the kingfish ceviche, served with sapo melon and mezcal, which was fresh but had a nice smoky edge from the mezcal. From there, we worked through all four tacos: the fried cod with chipotle crema, grilled cheese with roast poblano and salsa macha, spit-roasted al pastor with pineapple, and the BBQ beef tongue with salsa cruda. All solid. The standout, though, was the carne asada, 400g of Rangers Valley wagyu hanger served with corn tortillas, salsas and pickles. Worth ordering.

The drink menu is extensive, but the margaritas are the obvious call. One note, coriander lovers will be happy, everyone else be warned. It features heavily.

We went on a Tuesday, and it was still buzzing. Book ahead.

📍 148 Parry St, Newcastle West

Mr Rice

After seven years, Mr Rice will close permanently on May 16. The team are heading back to China to spend time with family. If you haven't been, or want to go one last time, the signature Crispy Eggplant alone is worth the trip.

Kitami

A Newcastle institution across more than 30 years and three different locations, Kitami's Carrington chapter comes to an end on June 20. The Sushi Revolution team will take over the space. Get in before they close; the ramen and gyoza are not to be missed.

St Lucia

Melissa and Garry Risteski, the team behind The Kingfish, Blanca and The Swordfish Co., have opened their third venue at Honeysuckle. Doors opened May 1.

📍 11 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

Nebbiolo Wine Lunch | Emilio's, The Junction | Sun 17 May, 11:30am
Emilio's is hosting a long lunch dedicated entirely to Nebbiolo next Sunday. Five courses, five wines, stories from a three-generation winemaking family — one afternoon only. Seats are limited and tickets are $120 per person.

To book: Email [email protected] with your name, email address, and number of tickets. A payment link will be sent through.

CWA Fundraising Stall – Maitland Bunnings Warehouse, Maitland | 9 May, 8:30am – 1pm
Homemade baked goods, sweets, jams, pickles and Mother's Day gift packages, raising funds for local community causes and disaster relief.
Painting Flowers with Watercolour – The Kotoda, Carrington | 9 May, 9:30am – 12:30pm
A relaxed artist-led watercolour workshop for Mother's Day weekend, open to all. Includes all materials, fresh flowers to paint, a charcuterie board and tea and coffee. Tickets $80. More info.

ART PLAY at MAP mima – Multi-Arts Pavilion mima, Speers Point | 10 May
A creative family morning of guided art-making for all ages, followed by a wander through Speers Point Park. Free. More info.

Mother's Day Classic Newcastle – Griffith Park, Stockton Foreshore | 10 May A 5km walk/run along the Stockton Foreshore raising money for breast and ovarian cancer research. More info.

Mother's Day at Dullboys – Dullboys Social Co., Newcastle | 10 May Mums bowl or putt for free, with mimosas all day and a meal at The Diner. Bookings recommended. More info.

Craft Alive – Newcastle Racecourse, Hamilton North | 7–9 May, 9:30am – 4pm A hands-on craft show for makers and craft lovers with interactive classes across three days. Free parking. Tickets available online. More info.

Cardiff Hawks Family Day – Pasterfield Sports Complex, Cameron Park | 9 May, from 9am A full day of footy and family fun with senior games, a Men's Cup match at 3pm, face painting and kids entertainment. Free. More info.

IncludingYOU Art Program – MAC yapang, Booragul | 7 May
An inclusive, welcoming workshop for people of all abilities to explore art, connect and learn new skills. Free. More info.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 7, 9, 23, 30 May, 10am – 12:30pm
Slow down with a coffee and make your own hand-built pottery in a calm, supported workshop. All materials provided. Tickets $120. More info.

Hunter Record Fair – Kotara High School, Kotara | 9 May, 9am – 4pm Thousands of new and second-hand vinyl and CDs across all genres — bargains, rarities, LPs and 45s. Early entry 9–10am $5, general entry $2. More info.

'Life Could Be A Dream' Preview Screening – Tower Cinemas, Newcastle | 9 May, 6pm
A preview screening and Q&A of Australian filmmaker Jasmin Tarasin's feature debut, raising funds for domestic violence charities in the Hunter. Tickets $40. More info.

Exhibition Openings – Straitjacket, Broadmeadow | 9 May, 11am – 5pm
Three new exhibitions opening simultaneously — painting and drawing on paper from Lydia Miller, Michelle Teear and Jill Orr. Free. More info.

Earp Presents: Novotone's 10th Birthday Party – Earp Distilling Co., Carrington | 9 May
A full night of live music celebrating 10 years of Novotone, featuring dust, Where's Jimmy, The Cheaks, Resident, Not Good Not Bad and IV. Tickets $30. More info.

Ray O'Leary – Newcastle City Hall | 9 May
Comedian Ray O'Leary (Taskmaster NZ, Have You Been Paying Attention?) brings his new show to Newcastle. Tickets $39.95. More info.

Saving June – The Exchange, Hamilton | 9 May, from 9pm
Saving June make their Great Southern Nights stop at The Exchange. More info.

Trees in Newcastle Nursery Open Day – Newcastle | 9 May, 9am – 1pm Browse over 100 local native species with staff on hand to help you find the right plant. Free. More info.

Hemp & House Coffee Rave – The Hemporium Wellness Centre, Carrington | 9 May, 10am – 1pm An alcohol-free morning of music, movement and community with local DJs, coffee, cacao and hemp blends. Family-friendly, all ages welcome. More info.

Polish Autumn Ball – Polish Cultural Centre, Broadmeadow | 9 May, 6pm – 11pm An elegant evening of community, culture and celebration with a performance by Rzeszowiacy, DJ Carl and a Polish Favorites dinner by Little Poland Dining. Tickets from $20. More info.

Behind the Mountain the Sun Sleeps – LEDA Gallery, Newcastle | from 9 May A new exhibition by Newcastle abstract painter Sean Thomas Bell, exploring fatherhood, family and the passage of time through bold, geometric works. Free. More info.

Mother's Day Market – The Station, Newcastle | 9 May Homegrown Markets takes over The Station the day before Mother's Day — handmade stalls, street food, live music, permanent jewellery bar, face painting and more. More info.

Homegrown Markets Mother's Day Edition – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | 10 May Handmade stalls, street food, live music, permanent jewellery bar and face painting on Mother's Day morning. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground, Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow | 10 May
Shop direct from local farmers and makers in a classic community farmers market.

Mother's Day is this Sunday, I have put together a lot of the events happening on one page.

Whether Mum wants bubbles on the harbour, a long lunch somewhere special, a browse through a local market, or something a bit more unique — we've pulled together the most comprehensive Mother's Day guide for Newcastle, Lake Mac and the Hunter.

High teas, cruises, long lunches, free days out and a few things you probably haven't seen anywhere else.

View mothers day events here.

Do you want me to share an event in the Newcastle Digest?

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Kalyn Ponga and the full left edge returned from injury on Sunday and the Knights needed every one of them, holding on to beat South Sydney 42-38 in a wild try-fest at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Newcastle raced out to a 28-6 lead before Souths clawed all the way back to take the lead with eight minutes remaining through Latrell Mitchell. A Souths error handed the ball straight back and Trey Mooney, who bagged a double on the day, finished off a Dylan Brown break to seal it.

Greg Marzhew grabbed a hat-trick and was crucial by game's end. Three-game losing streak over. The Knights head to Wollongong to face St George Illawarra on Saturday.

Most people who got last week’s trivia right probably knew the answer. But fewer know the story behind it.

Newcastle East Public School traces its origins back to 1816, when Newcastle was still a small, predominantly convict settlement of only a few hundred people.

The first lessons were held in a simple government slab hut near what is now Bolton Street, with just 17 children, eight girls and nine boys, aged between three and thirteen. Teaching was led by a convict on conditional pardon, assigned as a schoolmaster.

Even in a settlement built on coal and punishment, education was already being prioritised. Governor Lachlan Macquarie directed local officials to support the school, backing it as part of building a functioning colony.

By 1818, the school had already outgrown its original space and moved into a vestry at Christ Church Cathedral, where it became known as Christ Church School.

More than two centuries on, the school is still operating, now based in its heritage-listed Gothic building on Tyrrell Street. Its continuity has been formally traced back to those first lessons in 1816, making it widely regarded as Australia’s oldest continuously operating public school.

Most people drive past it without ever realising.